Belleville Recreation Spring Season Opens

Belleville parents and youth opened the spring season for baseball, softball and T-ball recently on a partly cloudy day with temperatures in the 60s.

“The festivities signal the start of the 2012 season,” said Michael Weiners, director of the Belleville Recreation Department.

The festivities took place at Belleville Municipal Stadium last week, and featured a crowd that cheered on teams with more than 750 total participants, Weiners said. 

One highlight was a “spirited introduction” of all the teams by announcer Anthony Sessa working the stadium press box, Weiners said. 

Special guests were Mayor Raymond Kimble and Bobby Kane, Belleville Police Detective and President of Belleville Police Benevolent Association Local No. 28.

Kane threw out the ceremonial first pitch, recognizing the PBA’s continued sponsorship of the programs.

The teams took to the ball fields around town for the start of games that will continue in the weeks to come after the ceremonies, Weiners said. All the leagues began that day. They include:

• Baseball leagues are T-ball, ages five and six; Peanut League, ages seven and eight; Junior Recreation League, ages nine through 12, and Boys Intermediate League, ages 13 to 15.
• Girls Softball is Pee Wee, ages seven through nine; Pigtail League, ages eight through 10; Suburban Softball League, grades seven and eight and Ponytail League, for ages 11 through 15.

Locations are Fairway Park on Fairway Avenue, School No. 9 field on Stephens Street and the Recreation House on Joralemon Street.